Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (Ratification: 1983)

Articles 2, 5 and 6 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. In relation to its 2013 comment, the Committee notes the Government’s report and its reply to the new observations received in August and September 2014 from the Federation of Chambers and Associations of Commerce and Production of Venezuela (FEDECAMARAS) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), and from the Independent Trade Union Alliance (ASI), the Confederation of Workers of Venezuela (CTV) and the National Union of Workers of Venezuela (UNETE). The Government indicates that FEDECAMARAS will be invited to join the bodies that monitor the application of international standards on the same terms as the Bolivarian Socialist Confederation of Urban, Rural and Fisheries Workers. The Government adds that it sends the reports to FEDECAMARAS so that it can express its views in writing, and that the reports are also sent to UNETE but not to ASI since the latter is not listed as a trade union organization in the official registers. FEDECAMARAS and the IOE reiterate their concern at the situation of social dialogue in the country and refer to the report of the high-level tripartite mission to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Caracas, 27–31 January 2014) (GB.320/INS/8, March 2014), in particular paragraph 52, which states that “the inclusive dialogue recommended by the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is fully compatible with the existence of tripartite social dialogue bodies and that any negative experience of tripartism in the past should not compromise the application of ILO Conventions concerning freedom of association, collective bargaining and social dialogue, or undermine the contribution made by tripartism in all ILO member States”. The trade union organizations also express their concern at the problems they face as regards holding constructive social dialogue. The Government indicates in its reply that it is continuing the consultation process with the trade unions, chambers of commerce, federations and other types of people’s organizations to draw up a plan of action aimed at setting up dialogue round tables, in conformity with the legal and constitutional framework of the country. In its previous observations the Committee expressed its conviction that the Government and the social partners should commit to promote and strengthen tripartism and social dialogue and establish procedures which ensure effective tripartite consultations. The Committee requests the Government to provide details of the effective consultations held on each of the matters relating to international labour standards which come within the scope of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government once again to indicate how account is taken of the opinions expressed by the representative organizations concerning the operation of the consultation procedures required by the Convention.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2015.]